the automatic spending cuts and tax hikes kicked in january 1st if washington can't reach a deal. a lot of people fear it's going to be a repeat of what happened in 2011 when the republicans 4e8d the debt ceiling hostage to get what they wanted. but thing, i guess, you could say are a bit different. we are two days removed from a landslide victory, as well as a new 55-45 democratic senate majority. the president is also the winner of the popular vote. did you hear that, republicans? winner of the popular vote with the majority of the country supporting him. the only area in government where the democrats fell shot was in the congress, the house of representatives. the should be enough to deny president obama a mandate. mitch mcconnell made a statement saying the voters have not endorsed the failures or successes, simply given him more time to finish the job they asked him to do, together with a congress that restored balance to washington after two years of one-party control. now, not so fast. the actual number of votes cast for house seats favored the democrats by a half a millio